Exchange gifts: White skullcap for Pope Francis

MANILA, Philippines – Pope Francis immediately endeared himself to Filipinos when he appeared at the door of the plane and his white skull cap got blown away. (Watch Rappler’s report on his arrival)

The Pope on Saturday, January 17, gave a lucky man at the Villamor Air Base his white skull cap or zuccheto, an exchange gift of sorts, after the man gave him a new white skull cap. (READ: Viral: ‘Why so cute, Pope?’)

When he was offered the skull cap, Pope Francis compared it with his own. When it appeared to be of the same size as his, he wore the gift, smiled, and gave his skull cap in exchange.

The man kissed the pope’s ring in gratitude. The pope was beaming.

The man joined the receiving line that welcomed the Pope on his return from Leyte, a trip he had to grudgingly cut short because of Tropical Storm Amang. 

The day before, on January 16, an elderly woman at the Mall of Asia also gave the pope a white skullcap . 

Francis posed for a selfie at the Airbase on Saturday. (READ: Girl in airport takes selfie with Pope Francis) – Rappler.com